NR 546 Week 2 Neurotransmitters Questions with Verified Solutions

NR 546 Week 2 Neurotransmitters Questions with Verified Solutions What factors should be considered when prescribing psychotropic medications to a client? **Answer:** Age, smoking, caffeine, prescribed medication, and over-the-counter medications. What is the process by which neurons communicate with each other? **Answer:** Neurotransmission. Can you classify the neurotransmitters that most impact mental health into categories? **Answer:** Yes, they can be classified into four major categories: cholinergics (acetylcholine), monoamines (norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and histamine), amino acids (gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate), and neuropeptides. How do psychotropic medications affect neurotransmitters? **Answer:** Psychotropic medications often impact neurotransmitters by either enhancing or decreasing their ability to bind to receptor sites. What is the role of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain? **Answer:** GABA is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter, which decreases neuroexcitability across the brain, helping to calm down stress and promote relaxation. Deficiencies in GABA have been linked to anxiety or even schizophrenia. What are some potential effects of excessive GABA levels? **Answer:** Excessive GABA levels can slow down everything, including breathing, which can be dangerous. It can also affect executive function and motor coordination, increasing the risk of accidents. What is the role of norepinephrine (NE) in the brain? **Answer:** Norepinephrine is often referred to as the "fight or flight" response, helping individuals react to stress and danger. However, excessive NE levels due to stress, medications, or stimulants can lead to feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and difficulty focusing. I affect arousal, motivation, attention, learning, and REM sleep. I work within the parasympathetic nervous system too. I can make